Robot-assisted Laprascopic Surgery: The need for Multi-Angle Patient Positioning

Robotic-assisted surgery has shown advantages for laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgery. Minimally invasive surgery is meant to use precise movements with smaller incisions, less blood loss and pain, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recuperation time. Robotic instrument wrists have shown to provide these precise movements for these optimal results. There is also a 3-dimensional aspect to robotic surgery that can be controlled by technology, with a superior result

The introduction of robotic surgical systems and their integration into minimally invasive procedures have changed the landscape of laparoscopic surgery dramatically. 

- From the Journal of Endourology:⁴

The U.S. has rapidly progressed to use this robotic concept, due to patient demands and surgeon preferences, despite the high costs. Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci Surgical System was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration for cardiothoracic procedures in the late 1990s. This trend quickly spread through other surgical specialties, with urologists as one of the frontrunners in adoption.^1,2

There are four major factors that contribute to performing successful robot-assisted surgery. These include a good understanding of the procedure, superior surgical skills and training, flawless teamwork, and, most importantly, patient positioning and robotic port placement. The main goals of patient positioning and port placements are maintaining the safety of the patient, avoiding compression injuries, allowing maximum mobility of the robotic arms, and facilitating a smooth and efficient surgery. Read the full article here

With the constant improvements to patient positioning considerations in the marketing place, DeRoyal has created a new system for use with steep angulation and patient repositioning during robotic surgery. Take a look at the STEEP-T™ Multi-Angle Patient Positioning System details below.

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The STEEP-T™ system provides patient fixation for any procedure that requires steep angulation of the operative table. The STEEP-T™ system is a solution for multi-specialty surgical applications. The system helps to prevent unwanted movement or slippage of the patient during table position changes as well as prolonged periods of fixed steep angulation.



The positioning system decreases the potential for complication by providing superior support and fixation for greater patient protection. 

The STEEP-T™ system is quick and easy to set up. The single-use foam pad with straps may be used to gently reposition the patient on the O.R. table, as needed, for pre-operative changes.

 

Creating Optimal Fixation

Maximize Safe Patient Handling

The STEEP-T™ system is constructed of a high-density polyurethane foam that is cool and breathable for patient comfort. Our system components are designed to be most effective when used in unison. Each component also has several independent indications for patient positioning in multiple surgical environments.

• Foam Positioning Pad

• Head Positioner

• Scapular Wedges

• Arm Protectors

 

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REFERENCES:

3. Tomaszewski JJ, Casella DP, Turner RM II, et al. Pediatric laparoscopic and robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery: Technical considerations. J Endourol 2012;26:602–613 [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
4. Patient Positioning and Port Placement for Robot-Assisted Surgery. J Endourol. 2014 Jun 1; 28(6): 631–638.